Rabat – FIFA has published a special report on the upcoming 2026 World Cup match between Morocco and Brazil, stressing that this encounter carries a very different meaning compared to their last meeting 28 years ago.
Back in France 1998, Brazil won comfortably, but the situation today is not the same.
Morocco’s national team has transformed its status in world football, especially after the historic run to the semifinals at Qatar 2022, the first African side to reach that stage.
The report underlined that Morocco is no longer seen as a team of surprises. Instead, the Atlas Lions have become one of the rising powers in international football, earning respect through consistent results against top nations.
The match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will bring together two sides with contrasting histories: Brazil, a five‑time world champion, and Morocco, a team that has forced its way into the conversation among football’s elite.
FIFA noted that the game should not be reduced to a comparison of past records or famous names. Morocco has shown it can compete with the strongest teams, a point echoed by captain Achraf Hakimi.
He described the contest as balanced and likely to be decided by small details.
Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior also praised Morocco’s progress, saying the Atlas Lions are now capable of challenging any team in the world. His comments reflect the growing recognition of Morocco’s rise since 2022.
The report recalled that the last World Cup meeting between the two nations ended in a 3‑0 win for Brazil in 1998.
But it also pointed out that Morocco has already broken new ground, defeating Brazil for the first time in a friendly match in 2023. That result added weight to the idea that the gap between the sides has narrowed.
FIFA concluded by calling the Morocco‑Brazil clash one of the standout fixtures of the group stage at the 2026 World Cup. It represents a battle between Brazil’s long tradition of success and Morocco’s renewed ambition to write another chapter in football history.
